The South Downs with good views in the morning. Lunch in a small village. A gentle afternoon stroll through the West Weald with downland views to finish.

The route follows the South Downs Way out of the scenic Arun valley along some chalky tracks high up onto Bignor Hill for some magnificent views along the ridge, out to sea and across the West Weald. This is followed by a steep descent from the ridge through a hanging wood into the Rother valley to the quaint, remote villages of Bignor and Sutton (for lunch). Flanked by several idyllic commons, part wooded, part sandy heathland, you cross the Rother river and progress to Pulborough along a westerly route familiar from other walks, past the picturesque Stopham church and medieval bridge.

Walk Options

Bus 99 Chichester – Duncton – Petworth (6 buses per day, Mon-Sat) runs through Sutton, the lunch destination. This is a flexible service, pre-booking is required: call 01903 264 776, 09.00-17.00 Mon-Fri, 09.00-13.00 Sat! In Petworth you must connect to below Bus 1.
Bus line 1 (Midhurst – Worthing via Pulborough Station) follows the A 272 and A 283 through the last part of the walk area. Convenient stops for shortcuts are: Fittleworth and Stopham. The bus leaves Midhurst hourly on xx.30, then 17.40 and 18.45 (Sun: two-hourly to 18.30), and calls Petworth 15 minutes later, Fittleworth and Stopham later still.

Saturday Walkers Club

Take the train nearest to 9.30 from London Victoria.

Lunch and Tea

The White HorseThe Street, Sutton, West Sussex RH20 1PS (01798 869 221). The White Horse is located 9.6 km (5.9 mi) into the walk. Open 12.00-15.00 and 18.00-23.00 Tue-Sun. Food served 12.00-14.00 and 18.00-21.00.

The Swan Inn (Hotel) Lower Street Fittleworth, Petworth, West Sussex RH20 1EN (01798 865 154). The Swan Inn is located 5.3 km (3.3 mi) from the end of the walk. Open 08.30-23.00 daily (-22.30 Sun). Food served 12.00-14.15 and 18.30-21.15 Mon-Sat and all day Sun.
The Swan has acted as a coaching inn since 1536, having grown from a 12th century Saxon enclosure that offered food and lodgings to weary travellers, to the building that you see today. The earliest parts of the inn are dated to 1382.
The White Hart (Hotel) Stopham Bridge Stopham, Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 1DS (01798 874 903). The White Hart is located 2.3 km (1.4 mi) from the end of the walk. Open 11.00-23.00 daily. Food served 12.00-14.30 and 18.00-21.00 Mon-Fri, 12.00-21.30 Sat and 12.00-17.00 Sun. Situated by the River Arun and next to Stopham Bridge, The White Hart is one of the most picturesque pubs and restaurants in West Sussex. At the beginning of 2014 floods caused the river to burst its banks and the pub had to close due to extensive damage. After a change of ownership The White Hart reopened in the November of the year.
For other tea options a little off route in Pulborough, please consult page 2 of the pdf.